Ready, Set, Don't go

So tomorrow night Misti flies out to Alabama. Last Saturday Gma Jan, Laci and I pulled together a surprise going away party for her at a little mexican restaurant in town. She was indeed surprised, and it was perfect, she was surrounded by a room full of people who came to wish her well. I asked her to come up and have dinner tonight so we could say our goodbyes..as you can't really do that at the airport any longer, and this way the whole family could be here to see her.
She requested that I make meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy. So the family is coming up tonight for dinner. I'm making meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole and peanut butter pie. So its a busy day for me, cleaning, run to the store for some last minute things, and then cooking.

It's probably for the best I stay busy today. Everytime I stop for a moment and think, tears come to my eyes. I (along with everyone else) am very excited for Misti and the new opportunites on her horizon. I'm proud of her for having the guts to make such a big leap of faith. She is doing what we prepare all of our children to do- Spread her wings and fly. I never imagined how hard it would be to let her go though.

There is this song that Billy Ray Cyrus sings along with his young daughter Miley. It's called "Ready, Set, Don't Go". I googled the lyrics last week and was crying by the time I was done reading them. This song is so fitting for this time in my life, in our lives.

"Ready, Set, Don't Go"

She's gotta do what she's gotta do

And I've gotta like it or not

She's got dreams too big for this town

And she needs to give 'em a shot

Whatever they are

Looks like she's all ready to leave

Nothing left to pack

There ain't no room for me in that car

Even if she asked me to tag along

God I gotta be strong

She's at the startin' line of the rest of her life

As ready as she's ever been

Got the hunger and the stars in her eyes

The prize is hers to win

She's waitin' on my blessings

before she hits that open road

Baby get ready

Get set

Don't go

She says things are fallen into place

Feels like they're fallen apart

I painted this big ol' smile on my face

To hide my broken heart

If only she knew

This is where I don't say what I want so bad to say

This is where I want to but I won't get in the way

Of her and her dreams

And spreadin' her wings

She's at the startin' line of the rest of her life

As ready as she's ever been

Got the hunger and the stars in her eyes

The prize is hers to win

She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that open road

Baby get ready

Get set

Don't go

And I leave you with a few pictures from the restaurant last weekend...

Misti, Gma Jan, Cortney and Laci

Sisters...Misti, Cortney and Laci

This is a long time coming.. :) Misti and Cortney
I love you Misti. We wish you happiness and joy under the blue skies of Alabama. Always remember that your family is here for you and we love you. Good, bad, whatever.
We are family and that is a never ending bond.

Trip to the dentist...

I found a Children's dentist up here near our house, and scheduled appointments for all 4 girls. Ashlyne had been to the dentist before, along with Cortney and Jordie, but its been more than a year since their last visit, as we had some insurance changes and went without dental for the last year or so. Laney had not yet visited the dentist.

So Ashlyne and Laney had an appointment this morning. I scheduled it for 10am, which in itself was a bit challenging, as at 10am they are usually just moving around and having some breakfast. But by 9:45 this morning, we were dressed, teeth brushed, hair done, breakfast had, and out the door.

What a cool place!! There is a playroom that has books, games, a train set, a castle playhouse with a slide, arcade games and a 3 horse carousel ride. And the games and ride do not require money!! Yay! The girls were having a blast! Which was almost a problem- Laney didn't want to leave the playroom when their names were called. I was really nervous about how Laney was going to act, as many times at the dr. I have to hold her down for even simple things like letting the dr. look in her ears.

Ashlyne did really well, sat still for the xrays, and was still and cooperative for the cleaning and the dentist examination. They put sunglasses on them to help with the bright light in their face. Ash has a set of molars coming in within the next 6 months the dentist said, and a few of her teeth are just starting to feel the slightest bit wiggly- she was very excited about that. She does have one cavity in a molar. Which is in the top, down in a crevice. The dentist said she would probably have a hard time even getting to it with her brush. She will be getting a filling next week.

Laney was freaked out having to lay down and having someone poking in her mouth, but she did much better than I expected. I held her hand and just kept reassuring her and of course, coaxed her with the promise of a treat when she was done. And she laid there and even opened her mouth. And didn't scream. lol Success!! Her teeth looked great!

The dentist also said that they both have beautiful teeth and they have nice positioning (even Ash's permanant teeth he could see on xray) which means he does not for see any need for orthodontics for either of them at this point. Hallelujah!! With one kid already in braces, we've been worried at how many more we will have...

So they got a bag of goodies (new toothbrush, floss, stickers) and got to choose something out of a vending machine with a token the dentist gave them. All in all, a good experience and Ashlyne is even looking forward to going back! :)

Happy Valentine's Day from us!

Hope you all had a very Happy Valentine's Day yesterday!! Here is my girls with one of their treats. Grandpa Perry and Grandma Sherryl showed up with this great cookie bouquet and here the girls posed with their cookies and their greetings!!

And this is the very yummy cupcake that they each got from their Dad and I. :) I visited this great new shop in Downtown Puyallup http://indulgecupcakes.com/index.html and got each of the girls a treat for their valentine's goody.
We ordered pizza and had a relaxing evening at home. I hope that you had a nice day yesterday!!

Enough is Enough already

So I and Craig have been sick since last week. Cortney came home Sunday sick. Jord started feeling sick Tuesday, Laney has been coughin all week, but it hasn't slowed her down..lol. I went to the dr. finally Tues night and have bronchitis. Haven't slept much this week with the kids all being sick, waking up to take temps, give meds, etc.Then the wind last night- holy jesus. Ash and Laney were both scared so they were in our bed half the night. Then Ashlyne starts running a fever at like 5am this morning.

Enough already!! I want to be well (which is hard to get to when you aren't getting any sleep) and I want the kids to be well! So we are quarantined. lol.

bright spots:

Craig stayed home Monday to help out since he didn't feel well and I was feeling really bad. That was great because I was able to sleep all day pretty much.

A new friend of ours sent over dinner last night. lasagna, bread, salad, even cookies. That was awesome and sooo appreciated!! I must say that after having 3 babies and going thru numerous illnesses, I do not recall anyone ever bringing my family dinner. What a blessing!

Friday Gratitude

One of my goal's for 2008 was to blog more. I miss writing, I used to do so much journal writing and I just don't anymore. (must be the 4 kids running around here..)

So I want to continue to keep everyone updated on anything exciting in our lives, and do a better job at that, but I also wanted to start getting on here more to just write. So I hope you will come along for the ride. Sometimes I might just post musings, funny stories, goals, dreams, plans. It could be anything. It could be nothing.

I want to start committing particular days to a specific post. This might help me get motivated. So Friday's are going to be "Friday Gratitude". I will post what I'm grateful for that week. So here we go!!

Friday Gratitude (week 1)

This week I am thankful for my best friend- my husband. He is such a hard worker, even doing a side job last week that kept him at the shop til 9pm one night. He does this to provide for our family, and he rarely complains. He puts up with me, and I can be challenging. He still adores me and that is amazing. I love him with all of my heart, would absolutely be lost without him. I can hardly remember life before him, and that is probably a good thing. lol

7 years ago tomorrow- we had our first date, and our first kiss. (yes, tsk tsk, I kissed him on our first date ;) and I kid you not, fireworks. We both knew something amazing was happening. Who knew that this would be the road we would travel. I LOVE YOU!!

This week I am also thankful for another month of bills paid ONTIME!

I am thankful that gas prices went down this week.

I am thankful for cupboards with food in them, a warm house, and hot showers.

I am thankful that Ashlyne seems to finally be kicking the crud she has been carrying around since before Christmas.

I am thankful that my children are generally in good health.

I am thankful for their smiles and laughter, that each day keep me going.

This week, I am full of gratitude.